Another busy month with representation on the course from two of our Stowe runners, a pending joint training licence for a longstanding Old Stoic trainer and a recap from another excellent Newmarket Open Weekend.
Fine a comfortable chair and read on….
LONG STANDING OS TRAINER ADDS SON TO HIS TRAINER LICENCE
James Fanshawe (Temple ‘79) and his son Tom Fanshawe will become the latest father-and-son combination to move to a joint-training licence in Newmarket for 2027.
Fanshawe Senior, a multiple Group 1-winning trainer, has been based out of Pegasus Stables on Newmarket’s Snailwell Road since 1990, and now his son will be added to the training licence in January in recognition of his increasing involvement at the historic yard.
The announcement comes amid another successful season for the yard, who are already having their most successful year to date with 62 victories at the time of writing including the Group 3 Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster recently thanks to Pina Sonata.
Tom, 29, has been involved at Pegasus Stables all his life and has been assistant trainer since 2020, playing a crucial role in the preparation of the horses and the day-to-day running of the yard. Before moving back to Pegasus full time in 2020, he spent two years in Australia working for Chris Waller and another OS trainer in Matt Cumani (Grafton 99).
James said: “So far it has been an excellent season, and we are most grateful to the owners for providing the ammunition, and to the staff for their skill, hard work and commitment. I am really looking forward to having Tom on the licence. He has been assistant for the past six seasons, has brought in some new and fresh ideas, and is full of ambition for the future of our stable.”
May we wish them the best of luck with their new partnership!
HENRY CECIL OPEN WEEKEND
Newmarket’s open weekend, which raised more than £100,000 for charity, has become an annual pilgrimage for many racing fans. This September, blessed with autumnal sunshine, the hordes of people to enjoy a range of events across the two days, including a trainers’ race on the Rowley Mile on Saturday along with tours of the National Stud, British Racing School, Rossdales Equine Hospital, Jockey Club Rooms and the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Sir Peter O’Sullevan House.
Early birds who gathered on Warren Hill on Sunday morning were treated to the sight of Ombudsman, Friendly Soul, Almeraq, Dubai Honour, Lake Forest, Caballo De Mar, Bay City Roller, Wimbledon Hawkeye, She’s Perfect, Consent, Moon Target and Saddadd in action.
Then came the rush to the yards from 9am with many stables open including Tom Clover, John and Thady Gosden and Sir Mark Prescott.
Old Stoics were represented through Michael Bell, Ed Crisford and James Fanshawe and Charlie Clover ensured Stowe left with a small victory as he led a team of three to win the Showjumping competition in the late afternoon sun on the Sunday.
I can highly endorse attending next year’s event – it is also very family friendly for those with children.
More details can be at
Home – The Henry Cecil Open Weekend
FOREVER FAITHFULL RETURNED TO THE TRACK
Our Old Stoic Racing Club horse, Forever Faithfull, gave her owners a boost by managing to make an eagerly awaited return to the course having suffered a mid-season injury.
She ran at Kempton finishing eight but most importantly her legs were sound the following morning. The filly will perform in a better light once sent handicapping, which will happen after her next run.
Huge thanks to our trainer Jonny Portman and his team who have worked very hard to bring her carefully back to fitness.
ALEX HALES OPEN DAY
At the beginning of September, Alex Hales (Chandos 92) held his ever popular annual Owners Day at his yard near Banbury.
Owners Days used to be de rigeur even ten years ago however increasing costs and more syndicates hosting their own stable mornings with their owners has led to their reduction.
However, Alex has remained steadfast in his commitment to it and its importance. “Without my owners, I really don’t have a business so it’s vital that I take the time to thank them for their support over the past twelve months.’’
Alex was rewarded with a bumper crowd and excellent afternoon, with lunch, showing off his sixty horses.
Please click here to read Alex’s Horses in Training Brochure.
L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE LOOMS ON SUNDAY
One of flat racing’s most exciting and historic races takes place at Longchamp on Sunday.
Whilst Daryz is the defending champion and will be on the seventh dual winner of the race, the last being Enable for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori back in 2018.
16 have been declared for the £1.2million prize. Pleasingly there is strong British interest with Kalpana hoping to crown a hugely successful season for the Andrew Balding team, Friendly Soul for John and Thady Gosden, Saddadd for Roger Varian and Bay City Roller for the high performing George Scott team.
My pick is Maltese Cross, runner in the Derby and a winner over course and distance back in July, makes him a strong candidate for Sunday’s race. Best of luck to all and be sure to tune in at 3.05pm on Sky Sports Racing.
HORSE NEWS
JACK LANGLEY – he ran at Wolverhampton last month finishing third. Annoyingly he was boxed in on the rail coming around the home turn, which blunted his finishing effort.
He remains a very consistent horse for us having never been out of the first four.
Possible entries include:
Kempton – 7th October or Yarmouth on
FOREVER FAITHFULL – as outlined above, she shaped encouragingly on her come back run and is likely to line up at Kempton on 7th October.
BELCAMO – he remains in the final weeks of his enforced box rest. Hopefully his hock will show as being fully mended when he is rescanned in the mid-October.